A/N: Next chapter will be longer. I'm just exhausted right now and have a few more stories to update.

Last time:

Hermione looked up from her plate, "Really? Why?"
"Just thought I'd ask you a few questions and figured you'd want to get some fresh air."
Hermione smiled and started to eat a little quicker, then it hit her..."STOP READING MY MIND!"

Now:

As the pair walked a small dirt path, Tom glanced over to the witch who was born to save him. She was the ultimate good to his ultimate evil, the one person who could change his and the lives of many others if she succeeded in her task, that as far as he was concerned, she had no idea about.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" she finally asked, with a raised eyebrow.

Tom snapped his head back and smirked, "Just trying to figure out what you remember about the duel with McNair." he answered, not missing a beat.

"I already told you, I remember fighting with him, I remember being tripped, I remember falling and looking up to see McNair standing over me, and Merlin is that man ugly." she added.

"And nothing after that?"

"Nothing. I just decided he probably hexed me pretty good and caused me to black out." she said with a shrug.

"I see" he replied and continued to walk silently for a few more minutes. "Would you like a rematch?" he asked.

"As long as I won't be tripped again. It wasn't really a fair duel when others became involved." she answered.

"I will see what I can arrange. I must admit, your dueling was...impressive."

"Well, I had to learn to defend myself and if I had not been caught off guard, I wouldn't be here today. I'm sure I could have fought off the one who grabbed me."

Tom gave a nod. "I have no doubts that you could."

Hermione suddenly stopped and picked up a purple stone from the ground and shoved it her her pocket, "Fairy luck stone," she said when she noticed his curious glance.

"I know what it is, but thats leads me to another question." he said with a smirk. "What has prompted you to learn so much, to throw yourself into books and learn about a world you didn't know existed until you were eleven?"

Hermione chuckled, "I've always been like that, since I was little. I would drive everyone nuts with my questions on how things worked or why something was the shape or color it was, it's just my nature I guess."

"Yes, I've heard many times about your answering out of turn and hand waving. You were always the student that could make Severus drink."

"That's because he wasn't used to a student that actually wanted to learn. I have no doubts he thought we were all idiots." She laughed

"You would be correct in that assumption." he replied, "None the less, You have sparked my curiosity since he started complaining about you. I was always curious as to why you were so logical, why you seemed to do better in your studies then other students, you just seemed to be much more then a typical witch or wizard and I wanted to know why." He asked, trying to see if she was aware that she was, in fact, different.

"No clue, I've just always wanted to do my best I guess." She said with another shrug.

"Fair enough." He replied, "I think its time we head back for lunch, wouldn't want to keep the roasted bats and fillet of children waiting."

Hermione rolled her eyes and headed back inside.

After they ate, Tom put her back in the room and changed his appearance back to Voldemort before he left. He wanted to see if any of his death eaters would volunteer to duel with Hermione or if he was going to have to choose one.

Once they were all gathered, Voldemort addressed them.

"I have decided to hold another duel with the mudblood. Are there any volunteers?"

He glanced around the room and noticed not a single one came forward.

"Come now, not a single one of you is willing to go toe to toe with the girl?"

A tall deatheater made his way to the front, "Permission to speak my lord"

"Granted"

"The girl is not normal sir, we have no idea what she is capable of."

"I see" he hissed, " I find it interesting that the lot of you can kill, rape and torture, but when it comes to a duel with a mudblood, you all tuck your tails between your legs and cower."

"She's not a normal mudblood sir, she can do wandless and her eyes glow."

"Enough of this foolishness, I will choose one of you at random if I must. I wish to see her powers again and see what she can do."

"Then I will volunteer my lord." The tall man said with a bow.

"Very well, tomorrow at noon. I want all of you here." He hissed before dismissing the entire group, except the tall man.

"Come to my study, Hanson, I wish to inform you of what I expect of you during the duel." Voldemort stated as he walked away, Hanson following right behind him.